Palestinian Journalist and Former Detainees Allege Torture and Sexual Violence in Israeli Prisons

December 17, 2025 – Palestine – 

Detailed testimony from a Palestinian journalist and other former detainees has intensified scrutiny of alleged abuse in Israeli detention facilities, including claims of torture and sexual violence that rights groups and survivors say form part of a broader pattern of mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners. These allegations have surfaced through interviews with media outlets and public forums, prompting calls for independent investigations and accountability.

Journalist’s Testimony
Palestinian freelance journalist Sami al-Sai, who was held without formal charges in Israeli prisons after his arrest in the occupied West Bank on February 23, 2024, has publicly recounted severe mistreatment during his detention. Speaking at an event organised by press freedom groups after his release in June 2025, al-Sai described enduring repeated beatings, blindfolding, shackling and humiliation while held at Megiddo Prison. He alleged that prison guards subjected him to sexual assault, asserting that a group of officers physically abused him and inserted a hard object into his body during one attack. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) noted that it could not independently verify these claims, but said al-Sai’s account was consistent with reports from other human rights organisations regarding the treatment of Palestinians in custody. At least 30 Palestinian journalists were reported to be detained in Israel as of mid-December 2025.

Additional Survivor Accounts
Independent reporting, including from the BBC, recounts similar claims by other former Palestinian detainees who say they were sexually abused and physically assaulted while held in Israeli prisons. These testimonies describe detainees being stripped, beaten, and sexually humiliated — allegations that Israeli authorities deny. The BBC coverage, citing interviews with released prisoners, highlights accounts of mistreatment that reflect broader concerns raised by rights groups about conduct in detention facilities.

Such allegations echo findings from human rights investigations into conditions faced by Palestinians detained since the October 2023 conflict escalation. Independent reports by organisations including B’Tselem and UN experts have documented patterns of torture, sexual violence, and degrading treatment in detention settings, suggesting these issues extend beyond isolated incidents. These reports include testimonies of forced stripping, beatings, abuse during interrogation, and other violations committed against male and female detainees.

Response and Context
Israeli authorities have rejected claims of systematic abuse, asserting that any mistreatment is contrary to law and military orders. Nevertheless, human rights advocates maintain that the accumulation of survivor testimonies and independent documentation warrants comprehensive, impartial investigations. Critics argue that transparent scrutiny is essential to address allegations of torture and sexual violence and to safeguard human rights and detainee protections under international law.

Reference – 

https://www.middleeasteye.net/big-story/palestinians-raped-israeli-jailers-speak-out

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8dy8r7lq0go

Palestinian journalist Sami al-Sai alleges torture, sexual violence in Israeli prison